Sir, - The North's Minister of Regional Development, Mr Peter Robinson, plans to introduce free travel for pensioners (The Irish Times, December 21st). Glad tidings; but Scrooge's shadow lurks: there will no reciprocal arrangements for senior citizens from the Republic who wish to travel as visitors around Northern Ireland. In contrast, eligible people from the jurisdiction are entitled to free travel in the Republic. The consequent discrimination is contrary to concepts such as parity of esteem inherent in the current peaceful developments between the two parts of Ireland. Our representatives on cross-Border bodies and other relevant agencies should ensure that reciprocal arrangements allow senior citizens from the Republic to avail of free travel in Northern Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
Tony Quinn, Dalkey, Co Dublin.